Container



J. STRACEY Nov. 3, 1964 CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1962 fMllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllllll A 1 INVENTOR JOHN STRACEY BYP-W" M M ATTORNEYS J. STRACEY Nov. 3, 1964 CONTAINER Filed April 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IHI INVENTOR JOHN STRACEY BY I W M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,155,281 CQNTAKNER John Stracey, Eilenville, N.Y., assiguor, by mesne assignments, to Questron America, Inc, Elicnville, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. h, 1%2, Ser. No. 186,015 14 Claims. (Cl. 222-107) This invention relates to novel containers and, more particularly, to novel containers for containing and dispensing materials, such as powders, pastes, sticks or liquids, including cosmetics, tooth paste, tooth powder, talcum powder, shaving sticks, capsules and pills and the like.

One object of this invention is to provide a containerdispenser which is capable of being at all times completely filled with its contents to the exclusion of air and its drying or deteriorating action.

Another object is the provision of a container-dispenser of the type described which is useful for containing and dispensing materials of a wide range of different types.

Another object is the provision of a container-dispenser of the type described above which, in addition, is capable of dispensing predetermined amounts of its contents.

A further object is to provide a container-dispenser of simplified and inexpensive construction and which is durable and positive acting.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial cross-section of the lower portions of the novel container-dispenser of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an axial cross-section of the upper portions of a container-dispenser of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the cap thereof is partially cut away;

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-section of the upper portions of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of another embodiment of this invention showing the cap thereof and the base thereof in axial cross-section;

FIG. 7 is an axial cross-section of an alternate form of the lower portions of the bellows shown in PEG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an axial cross-section of the lower portions of the bellows shown in FIG. 6 illustrating an additional embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the

container includes a base 10, a main chamber 11, a smalier chamber 12, a dispensing device 13, andfinger grip arms 14 attached to the lower portions of the dispensing device 13. The main chamber 11 comprises a substantially flexible resilient wall member in the form of a continuous helical bellows which is open at the bottom as best shown in FIG. 2 and connected at the top .to a collar 15 as best shown in FIG. 3. is formed with a center hole 16.

ber 11 communicates with the interior of the smaller chamber 12 through the center hole 1 6. The wall element of the smaller chamber 12 can be in the form of a helical bellows or can be in the form of a non-helical bellows as shown inFiGS. 1 and 3. To the upper end The collar 15.

of smaller chamber 12 is connected a dispensing device the form of a short cylindrical section 2s.

13 having an outlet 1'7 which communicatively connects with the interior of smaller chamber 12.

The dispensing device 13 can be provided with threads 18 for a suitable cap or other closure or the dispensing device 13 can be in the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The collar 15 can be provided with external threads 19 for cooperation with internal threads 20 on a cap 21 which fits entirely over the dispensing device 13, smaller chamber 12, and collar 15. The cap 21, in this regard, performs as a closure for the dispensing device 13 and also as a protective cover for the dispensing device 13 and chamber 12. Alternatively, the dispensing device 13 can be provided with internal closure means operative by turning the outer knurled portion of said dispensing device. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, finger grip arms 14 are connected in this embodiment to the lower portion of dispensing device 13 in order to provide a convenient means for collapsing the smaller chamber 12.

The base 10 is formed with an annular recess 22, the outer diameter of whi'chapproximates the outer diameter of the bellows forming the main chamber 11 and the inner diameter of which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the helical bellows forming main chamber 11. The depth of the annular recess 22 is sufficient to accommodate the bellows of the main chamber 11 when said bellows is compressed. The width of the anthe outer diameter of said bellows while the inner diameter of said annular recess is less than the inner diameter of said bellows.

The inner surface of annular recess 22 forms a core or projection 23 extending upwardly. The upper sides of the projection 23 are formed with a thread or threads 24. Similarly, the upper inner side of the base 10 is formed with a thread or threads 25. The threads 24 and 25 threadedly engage with the helical bellows of main chamber 11 such that when said bellows are rotated on its axis relative to the base it), said bellows will be screwed inwardly into the annular recess 22, or if rotated in the opposite direction it will be screwed outwardly from said annular recess. In order to prevent disconnection of the bellows forming main chamber 11 from the base 10, stop means are provided on the lower end of said bellows in it should be noted that while the projection 23 and the thread or threads 24 thereon may be a preferred form, they are, nevertheless, not essential to the broad concept of this invention. In other words, the annular recess 22 upon elimination of the projection 23 would take the form ofa cylindrical recess. The upper inner side of base it? can be provided with one or more threads 25, as desired. Similarly, the upper outer sides of projection 23 can be providedwith one or morethreads 24. The outer peripheral sides of the base It can also be provided with suitable gripping surfaces 27 to facilitate turning of the base 10 on the bellows forming chamber '11, if desired.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the bellows of main chamber 11 is-directly connected to the dispensing device 13. .In this case, the dispensing device 13 comprises a shoulder-portion 28 to the lower surface of which the bellows of chamber 11 is attached and a neck portion 2 9. Theneck portion 29 and shoulder portion 28 are provided an outlet passage 30 which communicatively connects with the interior of the bellows forming main chamber 11. The'neck portion 29 can be-provided :3 with any suitable closure means. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface of neck portion 29 is provided with threads 31 adapted for cooperation with internal threads on a suitable cap. Of course, any of the many well-known closure means can be employed.

The main chamber 11, smaller chamber 12, the center hole 15, and outlet 17 are initially filled with a fluid material, such as powder, paste or liquid. When it is desired to dispense measured amounts of the contents of the novel container shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the closure means is opened or removed and the finger grip arms 14 are depressed towards the collar 15, thus collapsing the smaller chamber 12 and ejecting a predetermined amount of the contents residing in smaller chamber 12 and outlet 17. In order to refill smaller chamber 12 and outlet 17, the base 111 is turned in a direction relative to the bellows of chamber 11 to advance the base 163 on the helices of said bellows, thereby causing the upper surface of projection 23 to force a portion of the contents of chamber 11 through center hole 16 into smaller chamber 12 and outlet 17. As this sequence continues, the lower end of the bellows forming main chamber 11 reaches the bottom of base 10 and as the sequence continues further that portion of said bellows within the recess 22 begins to collapse. This sequence can be continued until substantially all of the bellows forming main chamber 11 resides Within the recess 22 and is at least partially collapsed. When this point i reached, it will be seen that the contents of main chamber 11 have passed through center hole 16 into smaller chamber 12. When the last of the contents, with the exception of residual amounts, have been ejected through outlet 17 by collapsing the smaller chamber 12, the container is exhausted and is discarded or returned for refilling.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. is substantially the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, with the exception that measured amounts ejected through the outlet passage 30 are determined by the de ree of rotation of the base with respect to the bellows forming main chamber 11. The embodiment of FIG. 5 is advantageous in its simplicity of construction and in its simplicity of operation. However, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4 is advantageous in providing a simple means for dispensing measured amounts which are volumetrically equivalent with each collapsing of the smaller chamber 12.

As pointed out before, the projection 23 can be eliminated from base 10, in which case the recess 22 takes the form of a cylindrical recess. It will thus be seen that the advantage in employing the projection 23 is to permit the more complete evacuation of main chamber 11. A further embodiment or modification when projection 23 is dispensed with comprises forming the main chamber 11 with a bottom such that the only opening into said main chamber is in its upper end.

It is advantageous to form the dispensing device 13, finger grip arms 14, smaller chamber 12, collar 15, and main chamber 11 of a one-piece construction. The base 10, including the projection 23, the threads 24 and 25, and the gripping surfaces 27, are also preferably of a onepiececonstruction. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the dispensing device, including the neck portion 29, shoulder portion 28, and the threads 31, and the main chamber 11 are preferably of a one-piece construction while forming the base 113 including the pro jection 23, threads 24 and 25, and gripping surfaces 27 of a separate one-piece construction.

The various parts and elements of the container-dispenser of this invention, whether of one-piece construction or not, are preferably manufactured from plastic materials, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. The relative rigidity of such relatively rigid elements, such as the base 10, including the projection 23, threads 24 and 25, and gripping surfaces 27, the collar 15, the finger grip arms .14, dispensing device 13, including threads 18,

shoulder portion 28, neck portion 29 and threads 31, can be provided by thickening those portions or by making them from a more rigid plastic or a rigid material, e.g., metal, wood, glass and the like. Similarly, the relative flexibility of the respective bellows forming the main chamber 11 and smaller chamber 12 can be provided by thinning these portions or by employing a more flexible plastic material.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 comprises a main chamber 11 having a closed bottom 32 and an opening 33 at the top, a cap 34 and a base 35. The upper end of the chamber 11 is formed with a laterally projecting lip 36 surrounding the opening 33 and is also preferably formed with a knurled collar 37 for providing a gripping surface for turning said main chamber on its axis.

The cap 34 is formed with a short cylindrical recess 33, an annular shoulder 39 spaced outwardly from said recess 38 and a tapered bore 44) communicating with said recess 38. The cap 34 thus constitutes a snap-on cap wherein the lip 36 of the main chamber 11 co-operates with the recess 38 and shoulder 39 to hold said cap tightly over the opening 33 to close said opening.

The base 35 is provided with a cylindrical recess 41, an axial bore 42 through the bottom of said base and communicating with said recess 41, and a threaded hole 43 through the top of the base and communicating with said recess 41. The threaded hole 43 is of a diametrical size and thread size which co-operates with the helices of the main chamber 11 such that said main chamber can be screwed into said hole to move said main chamber into the recess 41.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is particularly adaptable for such applications as containing shaving sticks, deodorant sticks and the like. In this regard, the stick is contained within the chamber 11 and said chamber is threaded into the threaded hole 43. As the stick is consumed, the chamber 11 is screwed into the recess 41 by turning said chamber (with the aid of the knurled collar 37) with respect to the base 35. As the stick is further consumed and the chamber 11 is further screwed into the recess 41, the bottom of said chamber contacts the bottom surface of said recess and further screwing of said chamber into said recess causes those portions of the chamber within the recess to collapse. When all of the helices of the main chamber 11 are contained within the recess 41 and the threaded hole 43, further turning is prevented and the main chamber 11 is substantially exhausted with the exception of contents of the main chamber 11 residing within the recess 41 and the hole 43. At this point, the chamber 11 can be unscrewed from the base 35 and discarded or returned for a refill.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate form of main chamber 11 wherein the closed bottom is in the form of a projection 44 extending into the interior of said chamber. The projection 44 can be solid or hollow as shown in FIG. 7. In this form, it will be seen that the projection 44 is of substantially the same height as the height of the recess 1 plus the height of the hole 43 of the base 35. Thus, when the helices of the main chamber 11 have become completely disposed within the recess 41 and the hole 43, the original contents of said chamber will be substantially completely dispensed. When the projection 44 is hollow as shown in FIG. 7, the recess 45 thereby produced is accessible from the outside of the base 35 through the bore 42 and thus can be employed for containing accessory articles, such as razor blades and the like.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main chamber 11 with its closed bottom 32 can contain in its lower portions a block or insert 46 loosely disposed within said chamber or attached in some manner, as by bonding, to the inner surface of the bottom 32. The insert 46 serves the same purpose as the projection 44 in ensuring that the original contents of the chamber 11 are dispensed when the helices of said chamber are completely within the recess 41 and hole 43.

It can be readily seen that the chamber 11 in each of the embodiments can be of the disposable type and the bases and 35 can be either disposable or made of a valuable material or in a valuable form and thus adapted to be retained and used with refill chambers 11. Also, the cap 34 and the bases 10 and 35 can be made of a rigid material such as metal, wood, glass, plastics and the like. In addition, other modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein and, in particular, the dispensing means 13 can take the form of a spray means, such as those employed on aerosol spray containers or said dispensing means can take the form of an atomizer which is actuated by depressing those portions of the main chamber 11 not contained within the base 10 or 35.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention solely thereto, but to' include all of the obvious variations and modifications Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A novel container for powders, pastes and liquids, comprising a main chamber having a substantially flexible resilient wall member in the form of a continuous helical bellows biased to an expanded position by the inherent resiliency of said wall member, a base open at the top and having an inner side wall having a larger diameter than said wall member, a closed bottom and internal threads on said base spaced upwardly from said bottom and spaced inwardly from said inner side wall, said internal threads cooperating with the lower end of said resilient wall member to connect said base to said wall member, said wall member being adapted to be screwed into and thereby collapsed within said base, the upper end of said chamber being provided with means for dispensing the contents of said chamber. 7

2. A novel container for powders, pastes and liquids, comprising a main chamber having a substantially flexible resilient wall member in the form of a continuous helical bellows biased to an expanded position by the inherent resiliency of said wall member, a base open at the top and having an inner side wall having a larger diameter than said wall member, a closed bottom and internal threads on said base spaced upwardly from said bottom and spaced inwardly from said inner side wall, said internal threads cooperating with the lower end of said resilient wall member to connect said base to said wall member, said wall member being adapted to be screwed into and thereby collapsed within said base, stop means for restraining the disconnection of said base from said resilient wall member, the upper end of said chamber being provided with means for dispensing the contents of said chamber.

3. A novel container for powders, pastes and liquids, comprising a main chamber having a substantially flexible resilient wall member in the form of a continuous helical bellows biased to an expanded position by the inherent resiliency of said wall member, a base open at the top and having an inner side wall having a larger diameter than said wall member, a closed bottom and internal threads on said base spaced upwardly from said bottom and spaced inwardly from said inner side wall, said internal threads cooperating with the lower end of said resilient wall member to connect said base to said wall member, said wall member being adapted to be screwed into and thereby collapsed within said base, a smaller chamber having a substantially flexible resilient wall element in the form of a bellows biased to an expanded position by its inherent resiliency, said smaller chamber being communicatively connected to the upper end of said main chamber, the upper end of said smaller chamber being provided with means for dispensing the contents of said chambers.

4. A novel container for powders, pastes and liquids,

comprising a main chamber having a substantially flexible resilient wall member in the form of a continuous helical bellows biased to an expanded position by the inherent resiliency of said wall member, a base open at the top and having an inner side wall having a larger diameter than said wall member, a closed bottom and internal threads on said base spaced upwardly from said bottom and spaced inwardly from said inner side wall, said internal threads cooperating with the lower end of said resilient wall member to connect said base to said wall member, said wall member being adapted to be screwed into and thereby collapsed within said base, said base being provided with a projection the largest lateral dimension of which is less than the inner diameter of said wall member, said projection extending upwardly from said bottom, being spaced from said inner side wall of said base and being adapted to fit within said chamber, the upper end of said chamber being provided with means for dispensing the contents of said chamber.

5. A novel container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall member and said dispensing means are a one-piece construction.

6. A novel container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said wall member of the main chamber, the wall element of the smaller chamber and said dispensing means are of a one-piece construction.

7. A novel container as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wall member and said dispensing means are of a one-piece construction and said base and said projection are of a one-piece construction.

8. A novel container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for dispensing is closable.

9. A novel container as claimed in claim 3,-wherein said means for dispensing is closable.

10. A novel container as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for dispensing is closable.

11. A novel container for powders, pastes, sticks and liquids, comprising a main chamber having a substantially flexible resilient wall member in the form of a continuous helical bellows biased to an expanded position by the inherent resiliency of said wall member, said main chamber having a closed bottom and being open at the top, said helical bellows being adapted to be screwed into and collapsed within a hollow base having a bottom and a threaded hole at the top thereof.

12. A novel container for powders, pastes, sticks and liquids, comprising a main chamber having a substantially flexible resilient wall member in the form of a continuous helical bellows biased to an expanded position by the inherent resiliency of said wall member, a hollow base having a threaded hole at the top and a bottom, said threaded hole being adapted to co-operate with said helical bellows to advance said bellows into and collapse said bellows within said base when said bellows is turned on its axis relative to said base.

13. The container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the top of said main chamber is provided with means for receiving a closer to close said main chamber.

14. The container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the top of said main chamber is provided with dispensing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,687,779 Murphy Oct. 16, 1929 1,762,943 Zauder June 10, 1930 2,634,024 Hosmer Apr. 7, 1953 2,680,477 Schira June 8, 1954 2,812,113 Beall Nov. 5, 1957 2,899,110 Parker Aug. 11, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,016,601 France Aug. 27, 1952 

11. A NOVEL CONTAINER FOR POWDERS, PASTES, STICKS AND LIQUIDS, COMPRISING A MAIN CHAMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLEXIBLE RESILIENT WALL MEMBER IN THE FORM OF A CONTINUOUS HELICAL BELLOWS BIASED TO AN EXPANDED POSITION BY THE INHERENT RESILIENCY OF SAID WALL MEMBER, SAID MAIN CHAMBER HAVING A CLOSED BOTTOM AND BEING OPEN AT THE TOP, SAID HELICAL BELLOWS BEING ADAPTED TO BE SCREWED INTO AND COLLAPSED WITHIN A HOLLOW BASE HAVING A BOTTOM AND A THREADED HOLE AT THE TOP THEREOF. 